Ford updates Mondeo range

The former seven series making up the Mondeo range will be
simplified to five. The new Zetec Edition
becomes the entry level Mondeo, now priced at £19,445. From Zetec Edition,
Mondeo buyers have the choice of either prioritising the sporty specification
of the existing ST-Line and
new ST-Line Edition, or the luxury credentials of the new Titanium Edition
model and range-topping Vignale.

Kit

All five models have navigation, DAB, autonomous braking to
mitigate or avoid low-speed collisions at under 31mph, front/rear parking
sensors and cruise control with speed limiter as standard. The ST-Line series
introduce extras including front, rear and side body styling, lowered sports
suspension, Ford Power start button and darkened headliner. Privacy glass and
19in rock metallic alloy wheels are added on the ST-Line Edition.

Luxury

The new Titanium Edition, which includes a hybrid petrol
engine with 92g CO2 among its powertrains, boasts premium leather heated
seats, with front 10-way power adjustment. Since its launch in 2015, the Vignale trim has
grown to represent 13 per cent of orders. At the start of this year a Vignale
Nero appearance pack was introduced – comprising 19in dark tarnish alloys and
darkened fog lamp bezels, lower grille and side strips – and now becomes
standard Mondeo Vignale specification.

Professionals

Over 85 per cent of Ford
Mondeos are driven by professionals as a company or lease car, meaning
that they pay a “benefit in kind” tax based on its OTR (on the road) price. To
minimise tax liability, OTR prices are reduced by £3,000 (on Vignale), £2,500
(on Zetec and ST-Line Editions) and £2,000 (on Titanium Edition) – meaning
savings of up to £720 over three years (on ST-Line Edition 2.0 TDCi 150PS, for
40 per cent tax payer) plus £300 on the employer’s fleet National Insurance
costs.

Leasing

These prices translate into keen lease rates for a
higher specification car, thanks to improved residual values for the updated
range according to CAP. Ford Lease monthly payments for the Titanium Edition
2.0 TDCi 150PS five door are maintained at £258 over three years. Favoured by
private buyers, the Ford Mondeo ST-Line is priced just £3,500 above the entry
level Zetec Edition at £22,945.

2018

Owen Gregory, Ford of Britain fleet director, said: “We
know Mondeo customers
want their cars to stand out. This has propelled Mondeo drivers from the core
series to distinctly sporty and luxury-looking models. Making this easier and
more affordable takes the Mondeo into 2018 in style.”